South Korea vs Portugal: 2022 World Cup, Group Stage Match Preview, and Dream11 Predictions

South Korea vs Portugal is next as Portugal are already through to the next round of the World Cup and needs just a point against South Korea to guarantee they finish top of Group H.

Match Details:

• Location: Al Rayyan, Qatar
• Stadium: Education Stadium
• Date: Friday 2 December
• Kick-off Time: 8:30 PM IST
• Watch: Sports 18/HD, Jio Cinema App

South Korea vs Portugal: Match Preview:

After wins over Ghana and Uruguay in their opening two games, Fernando Santos' side look in good shape to go deep into the knockout rounds, with Cristiano Ronaldo firing for his country despite an acrimonious exit from Manchester United on the eve of the finals.

Bruno Fernandes bagged a brace in Portugal's 2-0 win last time out, while South Korea were edged out 3-2 by Ghana in a thrilling game, which puts the Asian side at risk of elimination.

Son Heung-min is the driving force behind South Korea's chances, but the Tottenham star hasn't been fully fit and firing, with his team collecting just one point from their opening two encounters. They need to beat Portugal to have a shot at the last 16.

Team News:

South Korea:

The main absentee for South Korea will be manager and former Portugal international player Paulo Bento, who was sent off after the final whistle against Ghana for protesting referee Anthony Taylor's decision to blow the whistle.

Portugal:

With the hard work done, Portugal can afford to ease up a bit and rest a number of their key starters, safe in the knowledge that the backup brigade should still be good enough to get the job done here.

The main injury concern is at left-back, where Nuno Mendes picked up a problem in the first half against Uruguay. He was in tears as he limped off, and even if he miraculously recovers in time, he's unlikely to be risked anyway.

Danilo Pereira and Otavio are both unavailable.

South Korea vs Portugal: Head to Head:

The two teams have met just once, with that meeting coming in the group stage of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. South Korea, who co-hosted the tournament alongside Japan, recorded a 1-0 win in that game.

South Korea are winless 10 of their last 11 matches in the World Cup while Portugal have suffered just one defeat in their last eight games at the competition.

Predicted Line-ups:

South Korea Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Kim S-G; Kim M-H, Kim M-J, Kim Y-G, Kim J-S; Hwang I-B, Jung; Lee K-I, Na, Son H-M; Cho G-S

Bench: Jo, Song B-K, Cho Y-M, Kwon K-W, Hong, Yoon, Kim T-H, Son J-H, Paik, Lee J-S, Kwon C-H, Jeong, Song M-K, Hwang U-J, Hwang H-C

Portugal Starting 11 (4-2-3-1): Sa; Dalot, Silva, Dias, Guerreiro; Palhinha, Carvalho; Silva, Felix, Leao; Ronaldo

Bench: Patricio, Costa, Pepe, Cancelo, Neves, Nunes, Vitinha, Mario, Fernandes, Horta, Ramos, Silva

KOR vs POR: Dream11 Predictions:

Dream11 will be updated soon.

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